The Portland daily press., 1887-07-12
ARIZONA REPTILES.
Venomous Lizards-Centipedes a
Yard Long-HorribIe Spiders.
FCleyeland Plain Dealer. I

cleveland Plain Dealer.l
Arizona is about the worst place in the
United States for people who are at all timid
in regard to venomous reptiles, which are to
be met with upon all sides here. But ma
tive, or people who have been In the Terri
tory short time, soon become accustomed
to these trifies A few years ago the breath
of the ''G:la monster" was supposed to be
very poisonous. This saurian, species of
the lizard tribe, is from 10 inches to feet in
length, is covered with scales and looks not
unlike young alligator. 1t is of reddish
brown color, and when sitting on a rock
emitting greenish, frothy slime, which
comes from its mouth with a sound of a
miniature steam engine, 1t certainly looks
iendish enough to freighten a tenderfoot
However, this bravado and at heart perfect
ly harmless braggadocio manner is quite as
characteristic of many of the human inhabi-
tants as the much abused, harmless Gila
monster, and a cowboy should be treated in
much the same manner as this lizard Show
him that you are not afraid of him and his
clustering will die away in smoke, like the
"Gila monsters" venom. There are many
species of smaller lizards Astounding upon
the sandy "mesas," and one can hardly move
bit of rock without disturbing the siesta of
one or more of these bright-eyed, inoffensive
little creatures, but which would seem to
prove themselves descendants of Eve" for
more curious bits of animal life were never
known. Thus curiosity will even overcome
their natural fears, for while writing upon
large rock, two or three came out and ven-
tured clear up to the paper, tasted an enve-
limo aud mn haipo frinhfana1
returned to pursue their Investigations,
which, could person keep quiet enough,
would be carried to a rather obnoxious eX-
tent.
The horned toad is another little animal
which seems TO have fondness for human
company, and many of them make their
home under porches and steps. They much
resemble a large lizard, save that around
their necks is number of sharp, projecting
horns, about half an inch long, and the same
distance apart, and which gives to them
most ferocious look. They are of dark
stone color, and perfectly harmless. There
are quite good many centipedes, which,
however, it Is well TO inspect from a distance.
room person is ready to take his oath that
the reptile is not less than three feet in
length, but which, upon actual measure
ment, would probably be about nine inches,
as that is the average length. They are
sort of transparent brown, and have two
They are put together in sections, and look
like the hundred-legged worms often found
in Ohio around rotten wood or under old
boards. 1t is not the bite of the centipede
that is so poisonous, but each end of his nu-
merous claws contains the venom, and when
frightened, or an attempt is made to brush
him OFF, every claw is fastened into the flesh
and the poison discharged. The only way
when one gets on to any portion of the flesh
is to keep perfectly quiet until the visitor
walks off of his own account This, how
ever. is by no means easy thing to do, as
one at first impulse is very apt to make
decided endeavor to remove the offender.
This poison is never known to prove fatal,
which will affect the whole system in the
same manner as the bite of a rattlesnake.
Tarantulas are to be found quite plenty In
the mountains, and when camping out our
party had frequently to shoot number in
order to clear spot on which to spread
their blankets. This may seem small game
for shooting, but a mans revolver Is his
handiest weapon in this country These
tarantulas look like huge spiders, with legs
about two inches long and covered with long
black hair. 1t is not safe to get too near one
of these creatures, as they are capable of
springing into the air several feet and are apt
to alight too near one for personal comfort;
| yet If let alone they will never modest one.
But they are furious warriors among them
selves, often fighting one another for several
days. Their bite is poisonous, but not dam
gerously so. Scorpions are found to be quite
plenty around the foothills, and their sting
is very painful. They resemble mon
strous flea and are very fond of crawling
into beds. Many people, newcomers es-
pecially, are in the habit of making thor
ough examination of their couch before re-
firing. not caring to receive the warm recep-
ton which would be awarded them by these
small intruders. There is small insect
about the size of flea, dark-brown color and
without wings, which lives in the sand and
is said to be the most poisonous of anything
here. 1t is called an Indian killer" that
learned. 1t. however, is almost unknown,
and after residence of several months |
have seen but one, and that dead one. 1t is
hoped the fear of it will not prevent immi-
| grafton any more than the earthquake, which
in this little town only lasted about twenty
seconds, but stopped several clocks and
| frightened the inhabitants, but otherwise
| did no material damage.